At the Olmec centre of San Lorenzo we see the first great example of the typical Mesoamerican religious site, laid out as plazas surrounded by mounds, a design that was emerging on a smaller scale in many regions. Ballcourts also appear in some sites and it is clear that the ballgame was being played from the protective helmets that are worn by the colossal heads at Olmec sites.
We can surmise that many aspects of religious practice were similar to those of later times. For example, many stingray spines, and luxury imitations of them in jade, have been found; these were later used in Mesoamerica for personal bloodletting offerings.
The sacrifice of captives is suggested by depictions in some Olmec carvings. Widespread charred and butchered human bones at San Lorenzo may be the result of cannibalism: this also featured in later ritual activities although the practice was by then confined to priests consuming sacrificial victims.
